Grand Transitions: How the Modern World Was Made - Couverture souple

Smil, Vaclav

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0197696759 ISBN 13 : 9780197696750

Editeur : Oxford University Press Inc, 2023

Synopsis

From one of the world's leading experts on the history of energy, a rigorous examination of the transitions that structure our modern world--and the environmental reckoning that will mark its success or failure.

What makes the modern world work? The answer to this deceptively simple question lies in four "grand transitions" of civilization--in populations, agriculture, energy, and economics--which have transformed the way we live.

Societies that have undergone all four transitions emerge into an era of radically different population dynamics, food surpluses (and waste), abundant energy use, and expanding economic opportunities. Simultaneously, in other parts of the world, hundreds of millions remain largely untouched by these developments.

Through erudite storytelling, Vaclav Smil investigates the fascinating and complex interactions of these transitions. He argues that the moral imperative to share modernity's benefits has become more acute with increasing economic inequality, but addressing this imbalance would make it exceedingly difficult to implement the changes necessary for the long-term preservation of the environment. Thus, managing the fifth transition--environmental changes from natural-resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and global warming--will determine the success or eventual failure of the grand transitions that have made the world we live in today.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. The author of more than 50 books, he conducts interdisciplinary research in energy, environmental and population change, food production and nutrition, technical innovation, risk assessment, and public policy. He has worked globally as a consultant and frequently delivers invited talks at conferences and workshops throughout the world.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press Inc
• Date d'édition: 2023
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0197696759
• ISBN 13: 9780197696750
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 376
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie